Splint



m D .u B A H SPLINT Filed March 29, 1933 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y SPLINT Harry A. Budin, New York, N. Y. Application March 29, 1933, Sam... 663,283

6 Claims. (01. 12ss1) My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the same, selected by me forpur- 5 poses of illustration, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims. 7

The object of my invention is to provide an improved splint intended primarily for the treat- 10 ment of toe conditions, and comprising among its members a frame member held at its rear end in engagement with the foot, extending longitudinally with respect to a toe, and having a terminal portion at its outer end adjacent to the outer end 15 of the toe, provided with a cushion member secured thereto, for engaging a face of the toe adjacent to its outer end, and a band of elastic, substantially impervious material operatively connected to the frame at a distance back from the terminal portion and adapted to extend,

around the toe on the face opposite that engaged by the cushion member, and yieldingly press it in the opposite direction from that in which ,pressure is exerted on the toe by the cushion metatarsal bone in a direction opposite to that in which pressure is applied by the cushion mem- ,.ber, to assist in restoring it to its normal position, 40 with its longitudinal axis in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the articulated phalanxes,

and secondly to induce perspiration and warmth to the end that the excess tissues in and about ,the metatarso-phalangeal joint may be absorbed- 45 and eliminated, and the swelling thereby reduced. It is to be understood that the words outwardly and inwardly, or outer and inner, as used in this specification, refer respectively to directions away ,;from and toward the center or median line of 50 the body.

In some instances a yielding material, which is not entirely impervious may be employed, particularlyiin the early treatments, if this is found desirable ;,The material which I prefer. to em-.

55 ployfhowever, is sheet rubber, The splint can be worn continuously for an indefinite time, and can also be worn during the patients sleeping hours..

Itis to be understood that the apparatus herein described is applicable not only to a bunion condition, but-also for the straightening of any of the toes of the foot which have become deflected laterally. or vertically, as in traumatic arthritic conditions, hallux flexusconditions and hallux. rigidus, or the condition generallyreferred to as hammer toe, for example.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 represents an embodiment of my improvedsplint for the treatment of bunion conditions, showing it in operative relation with the foot, the bones of the great toe being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the splint illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a Vertical sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig-5.is a detail perspective view of the rubber section shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the adjustable foot en gaging strap employed in connection with the splint illustrated in Figs. loto 4 inclusive.

Fig. '7 isa side elevation of the same.

Fig. 8. is a perspective view of a pad which is preferably employed in connection with the splint as ill-ustratediniFig. 1.

Fig- 9 is'a-partial'plan view of the splint, showing ia' slight modification.

Fig.1 "10 is a transverse section on line I ill i1 ofFig.9. H v

An .embodiment of my improved splint adapted particularly for bunion conditions is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive. The object of this splint is toeffect a lateral pressure upon a face 40 of the distorted toe adjacent to its outer end in a direction toward the adjacent edge of the foot and simultaneously to exert a yielding pressure in the opposite direction on the opposite face adjacent to and preferably slightly forward and in rear. of the metatarso-phalangeal joint of the toefor the purpose of gently straightening the toe and forcing the metatarsal bone and phalanxes back substantially into their normal relation, and to force the entire joint in a direction toward the other portions of the foot. In other words, the effect is not only to straighten the toe itself, but to correct the buckling of the phalanxcswith respect to the metatarsal bone and. bring the Whole bony structure of the toe into approximately a straight line corresponding with the normal axis, and also press it bodily toward the adjacent portions of the foot. I also provide, in connection with this splint, means for enclosing the portions of the foot adjacent to the joint with a substantially impervious material, for the purpose of inducing warmth and perspiration and promoting absorption of excess tissues associated with the joint. For this purpose I prefer to employ sheet rubber which, by reason of its elasticity and its imperviousness, admirably performs both functions, and I provide means for adjusting the degree of elastic or yielding pressure applied to the joint, as this portion of the foot is frequently extremely sore and tender. It will be understood, however, that if in some cases the use of an impervious elastic material like sheet rubber produces discomfort, I may line it with gauze or other absorbent material, or I may use an elastic fabric, or otherwise cushion the tender joint, as may be desirable.

In the form of splint which I prefer to use for the purposes mentioned, 50, represents the frame of the splint, which is of metal, or any other desired material, and is preferably open,

-as shown, and of tapering or triangular form,

- desired. The rear end of the frame is conveniently provided with means for attaching an adjustable securing band, 52, and in this instance I have shown the frame provided with securing arms, 5I, extending substantially parallel with the frame bars, to engage loops, indicated at 52a,

see Figs. 6 and 7, provided in the band, 52. This is a convenient method of adjustment, but obviously a buckle or any other suitable means may be employed in connection with the band, 52. The opposite or outer end of the splint is preferably provided with a padded portion, indicated at 53, to insure the proper engagement of this portion of the splint, with a cushion, 54, preferably of sponge rubber or the like, which I prefer to insert between this terminal portion, 53, of

the splint and the toe, and prevent irritation of the skin or restriction of the circulation. The frame, 50, is also provided preferably with a band, 55, of sheet rubber, which is slipped over the frame, and is preferably made smaller at one end than the other in order to conform to the shape of the frame, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. This is, however, a mere matter of convenience, and it will be understood that the inner surface of the doubled rubber band, 55, will engage the foot and extend around the metatarso phalangeal joint of the deflected toe, in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 1.

By an inspection of Fig. 1, it will be seen that there are in reality three points of adjustment in the splint which are available for varying the action of the splint. When the splint is applied as therein indicated, it will be seen that the band, 52, draws the rear end of the splint close to the inner side of the foot adjacent to the instep portion, the elastic strap, 55, presses on the portion of the foot adjacent to the joint in a direction toward the opposite side of the foot, while the terminal portion, 53, of the splint acts on the cushion, 54, to press the phalanxes of the toe inwardly. It is therefore evident that by varying the thickness of the cushion, 54, the other factors remaining the same, there will be a corresponding adjustment of the pressur exerted on the toe phalanxes, which would also afiect to a certain extent, the pressure exerted by the rubber section, 55, on the joint. It will also be seen that by loosening the rubber section, 55, the same effect will be produced. This may be accomplished to a certain extent by sliding the rubber section rearward to loosen it, as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 4, and forwardly to tighten it, or obviously the same result could be obtained by using the endless rubber band, 55, of different sizes. Thirdly, it would be possible to adjust the splint by adjusting the securing band, 52, so that the inner end of the splint frame would be adjusted more closely to 0r further from the foot. With these adjustments, it will be readily seen that the splint can be easily accommodated to the widely varying conditions necessarily to be met with in different cases.

In Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown a slight modification of the splint, in which the provision for the third mentioned adjustment is slightly different. In this modification, in which corresponding parts are given the same reference characters with the addition of I00, the portion of the frame, indicated at I502), which engages the inner portion of the foot, is provided at its upper and lower ends with slotted portions, I500 to which the longitudinal frame bars, indicated at I50, are adjustably connected by means of studs, I50d, carried by said bars and projecting through the slots, I500, and secured in position by thumb nuts, I50e.

It will be understood that in the use of the previously described splint, the splint will be applied in the manner indicated in Fig. 1, and adjusted to produce as much pressure in one direction on the toe adjacent to its outer end and as much pressure in the opposite direction on the joint as the patient can stand, without too much discomfort, and the splint is allowed to remain for a considerable period of time. It may be conveniently worn in bed all through sleeping hours, and will obviously produce a relaxation of the over-stretched structures on the exterior of the foot, 2. stretching of the structures on the opposite side of the toe, and will also tend to force the joint in a direction toward the other toes, as well as bringing the toe phalanxes and metatarsal bone into approximate alignment with the normal longitudinal axis of the toe, while at the same time the heat and perspiration induced by the rubber section enclosing the joint will tend to assist in absorbing the excess tissues associated with the joint.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A splint for the treatment of bunion conditions comprising a substantially rigid frame, provided at its rear end with a securing band for en gaging the foot adjacent to the instep portion, said frame having forwardly extending portions united in a terminal portion for engaging the toe near its outer end and pressing it inwardly, a cushion member interposed between said terminal portion of the frame and the toe, and a band of elastic substantially impervious material connected with intermediate portions of the frame for extending around the joint of the toe, and means for adjusting said elastic band to vary the pressures in opposite directions upon the toe and joint.

2. A splint for the treatment of bunion conditions comprising a substantially rigid frame, provided at its rear end with a securing band for engaging the foot adjacent to the instep portion, said frame having forwardly extending portions united in a terminal portion for engaging the toe near its outer end and pressing it inwardly, a cushion member interposed between said terminal portion of the frame and the toe, and a band of elastic substantially impervious material connected with intermediate portions of the frame for extending around the joint of the toe, said frame being provided with frame bars diverging from front to rear, and said elastic band being formed endless and surrounding said frame bars, whereby the adjustment of said endless band longitudinally of said frame will vary the pressure in opposite directions upon said toe and joint.

3. A toe splint comprising a frame member having a rear portion adapted to lie on the inner side of the foot, and a terminal portion extending along the outer side of the great toe, and to engage and press the outer end of the toe inwardly, and a yielding band secured to said frame and extending transversely thereof to engage the inner side of the foot adjacent to the metatarso phalangeal joint of the toe and exert yielding pressure thereon in a direction opposite to that in which pressure is exerted on the outer end of the toe by said terminal portion, and attaching means for connecting the rear portion of the frame member to the foot.

4. A toe splint comprising a substantially rigid frame member, provided adjacent to its rear end with a securing band for engaging the foot, said frame having separated forwardly extending portions united in a terminal portion for engaging the outer side of the toe adjacent to its outer end, and pressing it inwardly, a band of elastic material extending from one of said separated forwardly extending portions of the frame to the other for engaging a joint of the toe and yieldingly pressing it in a direction opposite that in which pressure is exerted on the outer end portion of the toe by the said terminal portion, and means for adjusting the rear end portion of said frame toward and from the foot to vary the inward pressure exerted by said terminal portion upon the outer side of the toe, and the outward pressure exerted upon the toe joint by the said band of elastic material.

5. A toe splint comprising a frame member adapted to be held at its rear end in engagement with a foot, extending longitudinally with respect to a toe, and having at its forward end a terminal portion adjacent to the outer end of the toe, a cushion member secured to said terminal portion of the frame for engaging a face of the toe adjacent to its outer end, and a band of elastic, substantially impervious material connected to said frame at a distance back from the said terminal portion and constructed to extend around the toe on the face opposite that engaged by the said cushion member, and yieldingly press it in the opposite direction from that in which pressure is exerted on the toe by said cushion member.

6. A toe splint comprising a frame member adapted to be held at its rear end in engagement with a foot, adapted to extend longitudinally with respect to a toe, said frame having an open portion adjacent to a joint of the toe, and a terminal portion adjacent to the outer end of the toe, a cushion member interposed between said terminal portion of the frame and a face of the toe adjacent to its outer end, and an elastic strap member connected to the frame at opposite sides of said open portion and constructed to extend around a joint of the toe on the face thereof opposite that engaged by said cushion member, and yieldingly press it in a direction opposite to that in which pressure is exerted by said cushion member.

HARRY A. BUDIN. 

